The preparation and characterization of some zinc(l l) and cadmium(ll) halide complexes with 1,3-dihyd ro-7-nitro-5-phenyl-2 I-I-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one and 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-31t-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one are reported. The complexes have been studied by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements, i.r. and far-i.r, spectra and conductivity measurements. Assignments for metalligand and metal-halide modes have been made. The evidence suggests that the complexes, which contain 1 : 1.5, 1 : 1, 1 : 2 and 1 : 4 metal : ligand stoichiometric ratios, have a pseudotetrahedral symmetry, with the exception of Zn(Mog)4Br2 • 2H20 which is octahedral.